The trial is set to begin today...
From Variety
Dunbar’s character, Michael Grant, was written off the show in November 2021, a month after studios began requiring COVID-19 vaccines for actors and others on set. Dunbar asserts that he is a member of the Congregation of Universal Wisdom, which holds that it is sinful to inject chemicals that “defy natural law.”
Disney‘s 20th Television argues that Dunbar came up with a phony religious excuse to avoid complying with the vaccine mandate. During pre-trial investigation, the company’s lawyers discovered that Dunbar had taken other drugs, including steroids for shoulder pain, and had been getting regular injections of synthetic testosterone from “The Man Clinic” since 2018.
The Congregation of Universal Wisdom was founded by Dr. Walter Schilling, a New Jersey chiropractor, in 1975. Members have long used the church’s teachings to avoid school vaccination requirements.
Schilling, 82, was expected to testify at the trial, but recently indicated he is too ill to travel to Los Angeles. Instead, his depositions are expected to be played for the jury.
Schilling testified that the church does not have a place of worship or regular meetings. Members can join by submitting an application and a fee.
“A lot of people in the general public hold our beliefs but then they don’t have a place to go to verify those beliefs,” Schilling said. “So what has happened when they started mandating things, it incentivized people to actually join the church.”
He also said that it would be “sacrilege” to inject oneself with synthetic testosterone, or any other prescription drug.
Dunbar’s lawyers have argued that the actor holds a “nuanced” set of beliefs that melds CUW with the teachings of Buddhism and African Yoruba faith.
“Since at least 2014, Plaintiff has held sincere religious beliefs that prevent him from receiving vaccines because he believes they will tether his soul to earth, thereby preventing him from ascending to be with God after his death,” his attorneys argued in a pre-trial memo.
Dunbar and his wife, Maya, are also expected to testify, as is “9-1-1” showrunner Tim Minear.
Dunbar’s lawyers have argued that he does not need to be a perfect adherent to CUW practices in order for his beliefs to be protected.
Dunbar has said he is “not against western medicine that is made with God’s consent or that does not cloud my communication with God.”
During discovery, Dunbar failed to turn over most of his medical records to Disney’s lawyers. The attorneys ultimately obtained records from 44 providers, including Dr. Fong of The Man Clinic. Fong had been providing him twice-weekly testosterone injections, as well as injections of anastrozole, a chemotherapy drug intended to prevent breast growth, which can be a side effect of testosterone.
Judge Dolly Gee faulted Dunbar for “egregious” failures to disclose evidence.
Dunbar’s lawyers sought to block use of Dunbar’s medical records at trial, arguing they were irrelevant, but the judge disagreed.
8 comments:
GOOD FOR HIM!!!
He's going against a huge machine. Prayers for strength. I hope he wins big!
His body his choice. I pray he wins.
Get them Rockmond! Its a shame you have to go through a trial for your own body!
How on earth did they get access to his medical records
to PROVE he didn't disclose all of his records?
1:33 I bet is was easy since they probably provide his health insurance
He better have Gina's lawyer
His body, his choice. Disney's tv set, their choice. I'm sick of these negroes and their inconsistent, homemade medical theories. He should show up at trial with Dr. Umar. Or try to get a job with RFK Jr. They're the only ones who might think he makes sense. (Except of course for you Snitchers.)
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